Bracket assembly for lifting and supporting a lightweight foundation

ABSTRACT

A bracket assembly rests upon a pile or deep foundation pier set adjacent to a lightweight structure or foundation element such as a porch. The bracket slides upon a pile or deep foundation pier and adjusts from the side of the pile or deep foundation pier. The bracket assembly has a weldment with bearing and guide members. The bearing member supports the lightweight structure or foundation element while the guide member raises the bearing member on the pile or deep foundation pier. The guide member has a sleeve and U-shaped bolt to grasp the pile or deep foundation pier. A cap plate atop the pile or deep foundation pier connects to the guide member through rods. Turning nuts on the upper end of the rods pulls them and thus the lightweight structure or foundation element upwards. The bracket assembly is lightweight and supports approximately five thousand pounds.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This continuation in part patent application claims priority to the non-provisional patent application having Ser. No. 11/089,865, which was filed on Mar. 25, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The bracket assembly for lifting and supporting a foundation relates to L shaped foundation brackets in general and more specifically to improvements in the connections of the bracket to a pile or deep foundation pile or deep foundation pier for supporting a lightweight structure or foundation element. A unique aspect of the present bracket assembly is an adjustable U-shaped bolt and mechanism that secures the bracket against rotation and translation relative to a pile or deep foundation pile or deep foundation pier. The U-shaped bolt also permits access from the side and a sleeve that allows the assembly to move upon a pile or deep foundation pile or deep foundation pier.

Generally the top of a pile or pier is defined as top and the bracket assembly rests upon the top. Perpendicular to the top is the side and it generally flanks the pile or pier. Briefly in use, the side access to the U bolt allows a contractor to reach into a shallow excavation and to draw the U bolt upon the pile or pier by turning wrenches from the ground surface. In other brackets, a contractor has to reach below the bracket, generally opposite the top, to turn wrenches inside a deeper and wider excavation.

A structure supported on a shallow foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element may become unstable and settle as a result of soil conditions or flaws in the original foundation design. In time, foundation settlement results in a structure becoming out of level and eventually structural damage. Without a stable foundation to rest upon, a structure will become unsafe and require additional foundation reinforcement to stabilize the structure. The present invention or bracket assembly transfers the weight, or vertical load, supported by a foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element, to a heavier foundation or pile or deep foundation pile or deep foundation pier. The pile or deep foundation pile or deep foundation pier bears on a load bearing stratum below the elevation of the lightweight structure or foundation element. The bracket assembly commonly cradles an edge of a lightweight structure or foundation element, such as a porch or patio, then transfers the load to a pile or deep foundation pile or deep foundation pier that bears on compacted earth, bedrock or other load bearing strata beneath the lightweight structure or foundation element. The main concept of this invention is to support a settling but lightweight foundation with a high strength to weight ratio bracket assembly, including a lifting mechanism used to stabilize and to raise a lightweight structure or foundation element, foundation, or structure and to secure same in a stable final position.

Prior art designs have previously supported failed or shallow lightweight structures or foundations utilizing a variety of methods. Piles or deep foundation piles or deep foundation piers made of concrete, reinforced concrete, timber, steel pipe, steel tubing, and solid steel bar bent into a helix have seen use at many sites to remedy failing lightweight structures or foundation elements with varying success. Typically, piles or deep foundation piles or deep foundation piers have been placed directly under a lightweight structure or foundation element and the piles or deep foundation piles or deep foundation piers then bear on adequate strata. The adequate transfer of the load from the lightweight structure or foundation element to the pile or deep foundation pile or deep foundation pier concerns contractors, engineers, and owners alike. However, placement of these piles or deep foundation piers beneath an existing structure, foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element can be difficult, often requiring deep excavations to provide the needed clearances. Commonly, contractors place piles or deep foundation piers below a lightweight structure or foundation element by excavating next to the lightweight structure or foundation element. Piles or deep foundation piers directly below a lightweight structure or foundation element become impractical because of excavation costs and narrow clearances between lightweight structure or foundation elements and adjacent structures. To minimize risk of damaging the lightweight structure or foundation element, contractors excavate wider and deeper access holes, lest piles or deep foundation piers become too short. Short piles or deep foundation piers have proven cumbersome and time consuming for contractors and result in a pile or deep foundation pier of questionable flexural rigidity.

The present art overcomes the limitations of the prior art where a need exists for a lightweight bracket to adequately transfer the lightweight structure or foundation element load to a pile or deep foundation pier located adjacent to a lightweight structure or foundation element. The present invention allows for placement of a pile or deep foundation pier adjacent to a structure eliminating the need for deep excavations. Because the load or weight of a structure is offset from the longitudinal axis of the pile or deep foundation pier, the transfer of the load results in a rotational force, or moment, being imparted into the bracket. That is, the art of the present invention, a bracket assembly for lifting and supporting a lightweight structure or foundation element, fixes a lightweight bracket to a pile or deep foundation pier with minimal moment and rotation of the bracket when under a load. The bracket assembly reduces the distance between the pile or deep foundation pier and the lightweight structure or foundation element to minimize the moment induced into the top of a pile or deep foundation pier by an eccentric load from the lightweight structure or foundation element. The moment imparts bending upon the pile or deep foundation pier where the pile or deep foundation pier has the least lateral support from adjacent soil and tends to rotate a bracket away from the corner of the lightweight structure or foundation element. The rotation reduces the effective bearing area between the bracket and the lightweight structure or foundation element. As a key feature, the present invention has a U-shaped bolt and mechanism that secures the bracket assembly to a pile or deep foundation pier and minimizes the moment upon the present invention and the pile or deep foundation pier.

The difficulty in providing a bracket assembly is shown by prior art bracket designs that transferred a foundation load to a particular style of pile or deep foundation pier. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,163 to Holdeman et al., to U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,107 to Hamilton et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,311 to West et al., each describes a bracket for a specific style or size of a pile or deep foundation pier. Some prior bracket designs state a feature to accommodate different sizes and styles of piles or deep foundation piers but, only provide for partial front to rear engagement between the installed pile or deep foundation pier and a bracket. Typically, an installed pile or deep foundation pier has a clearance between the lower portions of the bracket and the front edge of a pile or deep foundation pier toward the foundation.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,905 to Ruiz et al. for example, the adjustable brackets only engage the upper portion of the bracket and the back edge of an installed pile or deep foundation pier farthest from the foundation. The prior art brackets provide little means of contact between the lower portion of the bracket and the front edge of a pile or deep foundation pier towards a foundation. Under typical loads without contact at both the lower front and the upper rear edges of the pile or deep foundation pier, the prior art brackets rotate about an axis perpendicular to the length of a pile or deep foundation pier. Rotation causes the foundation support portion of a bracket to disengage from a foundation opening a gap, thus reducing the effective load capacity of a bracket. Contractors and owners alike desire a bracket assembly adaptable for various shapes and sizes of piles or deep foundation piers and adjustable to prevent rotation and to reduce moment between a bracket and a pile or deep foundation pier.

Prior art designs utilized brackets for transferring loads from a foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element to a pile or deep foundation pier, however, the current invention is an improvement related to both speed of use and safety of the installation crew. The prior art has a bracket which has an anti-rotation bolt located at the lower end of the bracket and a stop at the upper end. The anti-rotation bolt is threaded and when tightened it engages the pile or deep foundation pier and in turn biases the top of the pile or deep foundation pier against the upper bracket stop support thus securing the bracket against moment, rotation and translation relative to the pile or deep foundation pier. However, the location and orientation of the lower bracket adjustment bolt requires contractors to reach under the foundation to adjust the bracket, possibly causing an unsafe working condition.

In contrast to the prior art, the present invention improves working conditions with a threaded U-shaped bolt and mechanism. The U-shaped bolt provides adjustment and fixity at the lower end of the weldment of the present invention. And, the U-shaped bolt is oriented with the threaded stems facing away from the lightweight structure or foundation element which allows adjustments from the side and not beneath the lightweight structure or foundation element. As described above, the side refers to away from the pier, flanking the pier, and generally perpendicular to the top of the pier.

Prior art designs also have a support and lifting bracket made of an elongated pipe sleeve that slides over and upon the upper end of a pile or deep foundation pier. The pipe sleeve provides the fixity required to limit rotation of the bracket but no adjustments are possible upon the pipe sleeve. The prior art pipe sleeve requires precise or exact positioning of the pile or deep foundation pier shaft during installation. The present invention though provides a pile or deep foundation pier guide or sleeve and a spaced apart threadably adjustable U-shaped bolt that bolt fit over the pile or deep foundation pier shaft yet allow the present invention to slide. Adjustment of the U-shaped bolt compensates for misalignment of the pile or deep foundation pier and allows for exact positioning of the weldment against the lightweight structure or foundation element while limiting rotation, translation, and moment induced upon the weldment when under load. Then the prior art pipe sleeve called for an applied force to straighten a misaligned pile or deep foundation pier shaft. The pile or deep foundation pier is then held straight by the pipe sleeve and an integral bracket secured to a lightweight structure or foundation element or foundation with wedge anchors. The wedge anchors may induce a horizontal load upon the pipe sleeve that could eventually cause failure of the wedge anchors or disengagement of the pipe sleeve from the lightweight structure or foundation element. The present invention on the other hand permits adjustment to straighten a misaligned pile or deep foundation pier without inducing loads that might cause the weldment to disengage from the foundation. The present invention does not use wedge anchors but rather a U-shaped bolt and a sleeve.

Therefore, a need exists for a bracket assembly to lift and support a failing foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element in cooperation with a pile or deep foundation pier. A bracket assembly must be secured against rotation when under load and permit adjustment to compensate for misaligned piles or deep foundation piers. Thus, the present invention has the ability to fully support the foundation, or a lightweight structure or foundation element, upon the bracket, to maintain such, and to prevent slippage between the bracket and the supported foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention modifies existing brackets so that the bracket adjusts readily to piles or deep foundation piers of various sizes ranging from about one inch to about two inches in diameter and various shapes such as round, square, and polygonal. The present invention uses a U-shaped bolt to minimize moment, rotation, and translation of a weldment. The U-shaped bolt is easily and safely adjusted to fix the weldment upon a pile or deep foundation pier and position the weldment against a foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element. By fixing the weldment against rotation and translation from the lightweight structure or foundation element, an effective bearing area is maintained between the lightweight structure or foundation element and the weldment. Further, the present invention has a sleeve to guide the pile or deep foundation pier which in cooperation with the U-shaped bolt compensates for misalignment of the pile or deep foundation pier.

A U-shaped bolt and sleeve allows a contractor to install the bracket beneath the lightweight structure or foundation element after placement of a pile or deep foundation pier. The location of the U-shaped bolt allows a contractor to adjust the bolt from the side rather than beneath the present invention. This location of the bolt reduces excavation and labor costs. The present invention also allows a contractor to use multiple systems for placement of a pile or deep foundation pier such as rotational torque drive and direct resistance drive among others. The present invention maintains placement and orientation of a pile or deep foundation pier to resist rotation and slippage. Further, the present invention permits locating installation tools and components over the center of a pile or deep foundation pier to reduce induced bending moment at the junction of a pile or deep foundation pier and a bracket, particularly where the lightweight structure or foundation element rests thereon.

A bracket assembly has a weldment of a bearing member, two parallel gussets, a guide member, an adjustable bolt, a sleeve, a cap plate, and two threaded support rods. This configuration allows the bracket assembly to slide over a pile or deep foundation pier and fixes to the pile or deep foundation pier located adjacent to a failing or settling lightweight structure or foundation element in need of repair. The pile or deep foundation pier is installed into the soil to a depth which provides adequate bearing along the length of the pile or deep foundation pier to resist the vertical loads imposed by the weight of the foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element. Additionally, the pile is installed in a manner that prevents movement of the pile or deep foundation pier, relative to the ground surface, when under axial compressive loads, generally from the foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element.

In the present invention, the components of the weldment support the lightweight structure or foundation element and operate upon the pile or deep foundation pier. The bearing member supports and lifts the lightweight structure or foundation element relative to the pile or deep foundation pier which is located adjacent to a lightweight structure or foundation element. The gussets extend from the bearing member away from the lightweight structure or foundation element on both sides of a pile or deep foundation pier. Between the gussets, the guide member has a sleeve in a hole through the guide member. A pile or deep foundation pier passes through the sleeve. Opposite the sleeve, the guide member has holes through which a U-shaped bolt connects. The base of the U-shaped bolt is placed around the pile or deep foundation pier towards the lightweight structure or foundation element and the two stems of the U-shaped bolt pass through the holes in the guide member for securing by nuts or the like. The guide member then has two aligned and spaced apart holes flanking the sleeve. The threaded rods are placed through those holes and oriented parallel to the pile or deep foundation pier. Opposite the guide member, a cap plate is placed upon the pile or deep foundation pier and the threaded rods pass through holes in the cap plate also aligning with the holes in the guide member. Nuts upon the threaded rods secure the cap plate upon the pile or deep foundation pier and the weldment to the threaded rods. Turning the nuts upon the cap plate pulls the threaded rods upwards along with the lightweight structure or foundation element. Generally the weldment moves upwards upon the fixed pile or deep foundation pier immobile relative to the surrounding soil. When the lightweight structure or foundation element reaches a desired position, generally level, the weldment is secured to the pile or deep foundation pier. In one manner of securement, the pile or deep foundation pier and U-shaped bolt are welded to the sleeve. And in another method, the nuts are welded to the rods and the bracket assembly is backfilled. And, in yet another method, nuts are doubled without welding.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a bracket capable of supporting loads less than twenty five thousand pounds and typically no more than five thousand pounds.

It is another object of the invention to minimize the depth of excavation adjacent to a lightweight structure or foundation element.

It is another object of the invention to provide adequate adjustment to compensate for a misaligned pile or deep foundation pier.

It is another object of the invention to allow adjustment of the bracket from the side opposite the lightweight structure or foundation element when placed upon a pile or deep foundation pier thus not requiring a workmen or tool to reach beneath the lightweight structure or foundation element.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bracket that weighs less than two hundred fifty pounds and typically no more than twenty five pounds.

It is another object of the invention to contact and direct vertical load transfer of a foundation to a bracket and then to a pile or deep foundation pier installed adjacent to the foundation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bracket that accepts piles or deep foundation piers of various shapes and sizes.

It is a further object of the present invention to prevent shifting and rotation of the bracket with respect to a pile or deep foundation pier particularly when subjected to the weight of the lightweight structure or foundation element.

It is a still further object of the present invention to accommodate movement of a bracket away from a lightweight structure or foundation element.

It is an even still further object of the present invention to prevent rotation of the bracket or weldment relative to an installed pile or deep foundation pier under axial compressive loads and thus maintaining engagement between the bracket and the foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element.

These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the invention as described herein, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, when viewed in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric front view of the preferred embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric rear view of the present invention showing the U-shaped bolt and sleeve securing the present invention upon a pile or deep foundation pier;

FIG. 3 describes placement of the present invention upon a pile or deep foundation pier;

FIG. 4 describes securing the guide member to a pile or deep foundation pier using the U-shaped bolt;

FIG. 5 shows the U-shaped bolt tight against the pile or deep foundation pier;

FIG. 6 shows the installation of threaded rods and cap plate upon the weldment;

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the cap plate;

FIG. 8 illustrates the present invention lifting a lightweight structure or foundation element; and,

FIG. 9 describes an alternate embodiment of the guide member.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a bracket assembly 1 that lifts and supports a lightweight structure or foundation element 2 with adjustable lifting and pile or deep foundation pier positioning hardware, that transfers lightweight structure or foundation element loads to piles or deep foundation piers 3 of various shapes and sizes, and that does not induce rotation of the bracket upon a pile or deep foundation pier. The present invention is installed upon a pile or deep foundation pier 3 adjacent to a foundation or lightweight structure or foundation element 2, and has limited rotation upon the pile or deep foundation pier due to the securing action of a U-shaped bolt 9. The U-shaped bolt 9 is oriented with threadably adjustable nuts upon stems facing away from the foundation 2 thus allowing an installer to make adjustments to the present invention safely without reaching beneath a supported structure or lightweight structure or foundation element.

Generally, soil settles in the vicinity of a lightweight structure or foundation element as it endures weather and loads. A lightweight structure or foundation element sees loads from people walking or equipment moving upon a lightweight structure or foundation element. Further, a lightweight structure or foundation element 2 as part of a porch protects soil beneath the lightweight structure or foundation element and in time, the soil pulls away from the lightweight structure or foundation element causing it to fall. After enough settlement, a lightweight structure or foundation element will move out of alignment and likely crack. To remedy a distressed or settling lightweight structure or foundation element, building owners and contractors have turned to light duty piles or deep foundation piers. A pile or deep foundation pier 3 extends down into the soil beside a lightweight structure or foundation element 2 a sufficient length of embedment to resist lightweight structure or foundation element loads. The pile or deep foundation pier has a generally linear shape with a shank. The shank may have a helical portion to increase load capacity. Piles or deep foundation piers have a variety of cross sections ranging from square to polygonal in both hollow and solid forms. In the prior art, the pile or deep foundation pier is located at an angle away from the lightweight structure or foundation element to permit installation. Generally, the piles or deep foundation piers will be earth driven anchors.

In FIGS. 1-9, the pile or deep foundation pier 3 has a round corner square (RCSQ) or squared cross section though the present invention 1 will accommodate other shapes. Also in FIGS. 1-9, front refers to the direction towards and the location nearest the lightweight structure or foundation element 2 and upper or top refers to the direction and the location above a pile or deep foundation pier 3.

When used, the bracket assembly 1 withstands a portion of the lightweight structure or foundation element load and the corresponding reaction force. As the lightweight structure or foundation element load and the reaction force are spaced apart, the lightweight structure or foundation element load and the reaction force cause a moment upon the bracket assembly 1. The moment tends to rotate the bracket assembly 1 away from the underside of the lightweight structure or foundation element 2. An adjusting bolt 9 and a sleeve 8 cooperate to minimize moment applied to the top of the pile or deep foundation pier 3 and rotation or pivot of the bracket assembly 1.

The preferred embodiment of the bracket assembly 1 appears in FIG. 1. The bracket assembly 1 begins with a weldment 4. The weldment has a bearing member 5 that engages and rests beneath a lightweight structure or foundation element 2. The bearing member has a generally L shaped cross section with two legs 5 a intersecting along the spine of the bearing member. In the preferred embodiment, the bearing member 5 is a structural steel angle and has a first leg and a second leg of different lengths. The first leg has a longer length than the second leg and the first leg engages the lightweight structure or foundation element 2. The second leg is perpendicular to the first leg and generally within 50 of parallel to the longitudinal axis of a pile or deep foundation pier when installed. Two gussets 7 join to the second leg. The gussets 7 are spaced apart and mutually parallel. In the preferred embodiment, the gussets 7 have a generally triangular shape with an included angle of about 95° abutting the second leg opposite the intersection of the two legs. The gussets 7 extend above the first leg of the bearing member 5 to contact the edge of a lightweight structure or foundation element 2.

Joined to the gussets 7, a guide member 6 joins along the second leg of the bearing member 5. The guide member 6 has a generally L shape of two legs 6 a with a first leg and a second leg of different lengths. In the preferred embodiment, the guide member is a formed steel angle. The first leg of the guide member is below and parallel 5° to the first leg of the bearing member 5. The first leg has a central hole that admits a sleeve 8. The sleeve has a hollow round shape and a length at least twice the thickness of the first leg of the guide member. A pile or deep foundation pier then fits through the sleeve when the bracket assembly is used. Then the second leg of the guide member is below, behind, and attains a 5° angle between guide and bearing members to the second leg of the bearing member. The second leg has two centered and spaced apart holes and a U-shaped bolt 9 has two stems 9 a joining and extending from a base 9 b. The two stems 9 a cooperate with the holes to secure a pile or deep foundation pier 3 to the second leg of the guide member 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 9 b of the U-shaped bolt is away from the second leg and the stems 9 a of the bolt extend through the holes in the second leg where they are secured with nuts.

Along with the weldment, the present invention has a cap plate 10 positioned opposite the weldment 4. The cap plate 10 has a generally rectangular shape with two lateral edges, two longitudinal edges, a top surface, and an opposite bottom surface. The longitudinal edges 10 a are reinforced to withstand bending below the bottom surface. Upon the bottom surface, the cap plate has two parallel spaced apart locating members 10 b as later shown in FIG. 7. In the preferred embodiment, the cap plate 10 is a structural steel C-shaped channel. The locating members and the reinforcement form a space that contains the top of the pile or deep foundation pier 3. Through the top surface, the cap plate has two centered and spaced apart holes generally outside the locating members. These holes in the cap plate align with those in the guide member.

The present invention is assembled into that shown in FIGS. 1, 2 by threading nuts onto two rods 11 a. The rods serve as a means to lift 11 the lightweight structure or foundation element. Alternatively, the lifting means 11 can be at least one jack, such as a hydraulic jack, pneumatic cylinder, or compressed air bladder. This is used in combination with a separate lifting frame (not shown). Additionally, a come-along or an electric winch can be used to draw the pieces together. In the preferred embodiment, the rods 11 a have sufficient diameter and steel strength to resist lightweight structure or foundation element loads later shown in FIG. 6. With nuts 11 b upon one end of the rods 11 a, the rods are located through the holes in the first leg of the guide member 6. Then the guide member and the remainder of the weldment 4 are placed over the pile or deep foundation pier as the pile or deep foundation pier 3 then passes through the sleeve 8. Then the cap plate is positioned upon the top of the pile or deep foundation pier. The two rods are then advanced through the holes in the cap plate 10. At least two nuts 11 b are turned onto the rods until snug against the top surface of the cap plate.

As described above, the pile or deep foundation pier passes through the sleeve 8 and the base 9 b of the U-shaped bolt wraps about the pile or deep foundation pier as now shown in FIG. 2. The base of the U-shaped bolt enwraps the pile or deep foundation pier on the perimeter towards the lightweight structure or foundation element as shown in FIG. 3 and the stems 9 a of the U-shaped bolt extend through the holes in the second leg of the guide member. Nuts are placed upon the stems outside of the second leg as shown in FIG. 4 and turning of the nuts draws the U-shaped bolt 9 and the weldment 4 closer together upon the pile or deep foundation pier. When the nuts are tight, the weldment attains the same orientation as the pile or deep foundation pier as shown in FIG. 5. The U-shaped bolt 9 and sleeve 8 cooperate in keeping the weldment tight upon the pile or deep foundation pier. The two points of contact by the U-shaped bolt and the sleeve allow the invention 1 to support a lightweight structure or foundation element 2 while resisting moment and rotation.

To utilize the present art, a contractor inspects a lightweight structure or foundation element 2, often seen as a sinking porch, and determines lifting points. At a lifting point, the contractor installs a pile or deep foundation pier 3 near the low edge of a lightweight structure or foundation element 2 as later shown in FIG. 8. The contractor then excavates about a foot beneath the lightweight structure or foundation element around the pile or deep foundation pier 3. Grasping the weldment 4, the contractor puts the stems 9 a of the U-shaped bolt into the holes in the guide member 6 and the threaded rods 11 through the other holes in the guide member. The U-shaped bolt remains loose. The contractor then places the weldment over the pile or deep foundation pier and then the pile or deep foundation pier 3 through the U-shaped bolt 9 and the sleeve 8. The pile or deep foundation pier is located between the stems of the U-shaped bolt. The contractor turns the weldment as needed to fit past the lightweight structure or foundation element. When the bearing member nears the bottom edge of the lightweight structure or foundation element, the contractor rotates the weldment to position the bearing member 5 beneath the lightweight structure or foundation element 2. The contractor then reaches into the excavation and tightens the nuts on the stems 9 a as shown in FIGS. 4, 5. The contractor does this from the side of the weldment, as opposed to beneath, as done in the prior art. Tightening the nuts on the stems secures the weldment against rotation upon the pile or deep foundation pier and induces friction between the pile or deep foundation pier and the weldment. The friction holds the weldment in position as the contractor installs further parts of the invention.

Next, the contractor applies the cap plate 10 to the top of the pile or deep foundation pier 3 in FIG. 6. The cap plate is centered on the pile or deep foundation pier within the locating members 10 b and the rods 11 a extend through the holes in the cap plate. The contractor then finger tightens the nuts 11 b upon the rods 11 a to remove the slack in the present invention. The contractor provides final tightening to the nuts on the stems of the U bolt. The base of the U-shaped bolt now tightly grasps the pile or deep foundation pier. Advancing towards the goal of a level lightweight structure or foundation element, the contractor turns the nuts 11 b on the rods 11 a upon the cap plate. As the pile or deep foundation pier is presumed immobile, the screw action of the nuts upon the rods draws the guide member towards the cap plate. Turning those nuts pulls the rods upwards along with the weldment as shown in FIG. 8.

Alternatively, hydraulic jacks, pneumatic cylinders, or compressed air bladders are placed on top of the cap plate and coupled to the end of the threaded rods. Upon activating the jacks, cylinders, or bladders, the rods rise and pull the weldment upwards.

And when the lightweight structure or foundation element reaches the desired elevation or becomes level, the weldment is secured to the pile or deep foundation pier by conventional means such as welding the sleeve and U-shaped bolt to the pile or deep foundation pier, doubling nuts upon the rods, encapsulation in concrete, adhesives, and the like. With the weldment secure, the rods and cap plate can be removed and the invention and the pile or deep foundation pier can be back filled. If not welded into place, the rods and cap plate remain.

An alternate embodiment of the bracket assembly 1 appears in FIG. 9. The bracket assembly 1 begins with a guide member 6 that has a generally L shape of two legs with a first leg 6 a and a second leg 6 b of different lengths. In the preferred embodiment, the guide member is a rolled steel angle. The first leg 6 a is generally the longer leg and is also where the foundation rests upon this assembly.

The first leg 6 a has a central hole that admits a sleeve 8 and two flanking holes 11 c that admit the threaded rods 11. The sleeve has a hollow round shape and a length at least twice the thickness of the first leg, and extends perpendicular from the first leg generally opposite the second leg 6 b. The sleeve and flanking holes are more located towards the union of the first and second legs. A pile or deep foundation pier then fits through the sleeve 8 and the threaded rods 11 fit through the flanking holes 11 c when this alternate bracket assembly is used in the previously describe manner.

Then the second leg 6 b of the guide member is generally perpendicular to and below the first leg 6 a. The second leg has two centered and spaced apart holes and a U-shaped bolt 9 has two stems 9 a joining and extending from a base 9 b. The two stems 9 a cooperate with the holes to secure a pile or deep foundation pier 3 to the second leg of the guide member 6. As shown here in FIG. 9, the base 9 b of the U-shaped bolt is away from the second leg and the stems 9 a of the bolt extend through the holes in the second leg where they are secured with nuts.

To withstand the foundation loads applied to the alternate embodiment, the guide member is strengthened by two braces 7 a. The braces 7 a are mutually parallel and span at an angle from the second leg to the first leg. The braces join to the first leg and the second leg opposite the union of the two legs. From a side view, the first leg, the second leg, and a brace for a generally triangular shape. In this alternate embodiment, the braces are round tubular members welded to the first leg and the second leg.

From the aforementioned description, a bracket assembly for lifting and supporting a lightweight structure or foundation element has been described. The bracket assembly is uniquely capable of decreasing moment, translation, and rotation upon a bracket with a U-shaped adjusting bolt and sleeve. The bracket assembly and its various components may be manufactured from many materials including but not limited to structural steel sections, welded steel plates, polymers, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, and composites. 

1. A bracket assembly for lifting and supporting a lightweight structure or foundation element, said bracket assembly rests upon a pile or deep foundation pier adjacent to a lightweight structure or foundation element, said bracket assembly compensating for misalignment of the pile or deep foundation pier, wherein the improvement comprises: a weldment having a bearing member joined to a guide member and at least one planar gusset joined to said bearing member and said guide member; said guide member having a sleeve through which said pile or deep foundation pier passes and two holes perpendicular to said sleeve; said sleeve having a tube of greater width than said pile or deep foundation pier, said sleeve being centered in one leg of said guide member; a bolt having two parallel stems and a base perpendicular to and joining said stems, said bolt having a general U shape; said bolt wrapping around said pile or deep foundation pier, said base contacting said pile or deep foundation pier beneath said sleeve, said stems entering said holes in said guide member, and said stems extending through said guide member generally perpendicular to said pile or deep foundation pier, and said stems being secured upon one leg of said guide member thus drawing said base and said pile or deep foundation pier to the leg of said guide member, wherein said stems are secured from the side of said weldment thus preventing rotation of said bracket assembly while allowing lifting of said weldment to position a lightweight structure or foundation element; a cap plate adapted to be positioned upon said pile or deep foundation pier; and, a means to lift said weldment when bearing a lightweight structure or foundation element.
 2. The bracket assembly of claim 1 further comprising: said bearing member having two perpendicular legs forming a generally L shape; said guide member having two perpendicular legs forming a generally L shape, said guide member positioned so the legs of said guide member and said bearing member are within 5°, and said guide member being offset below said bearing member; and, said gusset having a generally triangular shape where the hypotenuse spans from said guide member to slightly above said bearing member.
 3. The bracket assembly of claim 2 wherein said weldment has two gussets mutually parallel, spaced apart, and adapted to be located away from said pile or deep foundation pier.
 4. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein said tube is a round cylinder.
 5. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein said tube has a rectangular cross section.
 6. The bracket assembly of claim 1 further comprising: said cap plate having a generally rectangular shape, two longitudinal edges, reinforcement upon both of said longitudinal edges, and two locating members spanning between said reinforcement generally perpendicular to said longitudinal edges and spaced apart to admit the top of said pile or deep foundation pier.
 7. The bracket assembly of claim 6 wherein said cap plate is a C shaped channel.
 8. The bracket assembly of claim 1 further comprising: said lifting means having at least one threaded rod, said at least one rod spanning from said guide member to said cap plate, and said at least one rod extending through holes in said guide member and secured by a nut beneath a leg of said guide member and said at least one rod extending through holes in said cap plate and advanced by a nut above said cap plate wherein turning the nut pulls said rod, then said weldment, and thus the lightweight structure or foundation element upwards.
 9. A bracket assembly for lifting and supporting a lightweight structure or foundation element, said bracket assembly resting upon a pile or deep foundation pier adjacent to a lightweight structure or foundation element, said bracket assembly compensating for misalignment of the pile or deep foundation pier, comprising: a weldment having a bearing member joined to a guide member and at least one planar gusset joined to said bearing member and said guide member; said bearing member having two perpendicular legs forming a generally L shape; said guide member having two perpendicular legs forming a generally L shape, being member positioned so the legs of said guide member and said bearing member are generally within 5°, being offset below said bearing member, and having a sleeve of greater width than said pile or deep foundation pier through which said pile or deep foundation pier passes and two holes perpendicular to said sleeve; said gusset having a generally triangular shape where the hypotenuse spans from said guide member to slightly above said bearing member. a bolt having two parallel stems and a base perpendicular to and joining said stems forming a generally U shape; said bolt encircling said pile or deep foundation pier, said base contacting said pile or deep foundation pier beneath said sleeve, said stems entering said holes in said guide member and extending through said guide member generally perpendicular to said pile or deep foundation pier; said stems being secured upon one leg of said guide member thus drawing said base and said pile or deep foundation pier to said guide member; wherein said stems are secured from the side of said weldment thus preventing rotation of said bracket assembly while allowing lifting of said weldment to position a lightweight structure or foundation element, a cap plate adapted to be positioned atop said pile or deep foundation pier, having a generally rectangular shape, two longitudinal reinforced edges, and two stiffeners spanning between said reinforced edges generally perpendicular to said longitudinal edges and spaced apart to admit the top of said pile or deep foundation pier; and, at least one threaded rod, said at least one rod spanning from said guide member to said cap plate, said at least one rod extending through holes in said guide member and secured by a nut beneath a leg of said guide member, and said at least one rod extending through holes in said cap plate and advanced by a nut above said cap plate wherein turning the nut pulls said rod, then said weldment, and thus the lightweight structure or foundation element upwards.
 10. A bracket assembly for lifting and supporting a lightweight structure or foundation element, said bracket assembly rests upon a pile or deep foundation pier adjacent to a lightweight structure or foundation element, said bracket assembly compensating for misalignment of the pile or deep foundation pier, wherein the improvement comprises: a guide member having a sleeve through which said pile or deep foundation pier passes and two holes perpendicular to said sleeve; said sleeve having a tube of greater width than said pile or deep foundation pier, said sleeve being centered in one leg of said guide member; a bolt having two parallel stems and a base perpendicular to and joining said stems, said bolt having a general U shape, said bolt wrapping around said pile or deep foundation pier, said base contacting said pile or deep foundation pier beneath said sleeve, said stems entering said holes in said guide member, and said stems extending through said guide member generally perpendicular to said pile or deep foundation pier, and said stems being secured upon one leg of said guide member thus drawing said base and said pile or deep foundation pier to the leg of said guide member, wherein said stems are secured from the side of said bracket assembly thus preventing rotation of said bracket assembly while allowing lifting of said bracket assembly to position a lightweight structure or foundation element; a cap plate adapted to be positioned upon said pile or deep foundation pier; and, a means to lift said bracket assembly when bearing a lightweight structure or foundation element.
 11. The bracket assembly of claim 10 further comprising: said guide member having two perpendicular legs forming a generally L shape said legs joined at a union; and, at least one brace spanning at an angle between said legs away from the union of said legs.
 12. The bracket assembly of claim 10 further comprising: said lifting means having at least one threaded rod, said at least one rod spanning from said guide member to said cap plate, and said at least one rod extending through flanking holes in said guide member located outside said sleeve and secured by a nut beneath a leg of said guide member and said at least one rod extending through holes in said cap plate and advanced by a nut above said cap plate wherein turning the nut pulls said rod, then said bracket assembly, and thus the lightweight structure or foundation element upwards. 